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DAY ONE

When I got an offer for this digital retreat in my mailbox, I never imagined I would actually sign up for it. But here I was, standing on the spotless floors of this rather minimalistic building, all in white and brownish tones. I read the flyer one of the employees had put in my hand as they offered me a welcome drink (some sort of spinach smoothie, not great, but I was starving so it had to do). Following the plan put together by the self-proclaimed genius and health specialist “Deirdre”, a guru or something like that, me and the other members would have to go through an intense regiment of cardio workouts, yoga, meditation, and diverse occupations such as painting, reading, or even just cloud or bird watching.

There were seven of us, waiting in the rather impressive lobby. A couple of tourists, new to the area, sounded the friendliest to me, standing between a talkative sports nut going on and on about detox products and diets he’d gone through, and a bored-looking scholar who didn’t seem like she really knew why she was here. A strange individual, standing a bit further away, was typing furiously on their phone, probably trying to get as much screen time as possible before the beginning of the program; they were darting looks everywhere, a wary expression staining their eyes. Behind me sat our youngest member, a teenage boy with sighs as heavy as lead. I was convinced he wasn’t here because of his bright spirit and lovable charms; in fact, his only personality trait might’ve been his brattiness.

Our hostess, the famed Deirdre, eventually came out of a hidden door, welcoming us with open arms. Her smile was beaming, and her whole being was radiant with positive energy. I had never met anyone with such vibrant red hair and warm traits; she inspired trust, and I instantly felt reassured by her presence. She guided us through the labyrinthine corridors and twisted stairways (“the whole building is designed so you lose yourself into it, but it’s so intuitive you always get to where you are supposed to be!”), entertaining us with her delightful wit and cristalline laughs. One by one, she dropped us off to our rooms, giving us each a few words of encouragement; her gaze scanned you whole, leaving you bare in front of her, but it wasn’t an unpleasant situation, really.

The door closed behind me as I stepped into my own quarters. A sterile room, white and empty of anything distracting, stood in front of me. A bed, a table, a desk and a chair, those were the only pieces of furniture aside from the closet and bathroom. On the small oak table stood the most important part of this retreat, as had explained Deirdre: a wooden box, sealed with a tiny padlock that could only be opened with my fingerprint. With a sigh, and one last browse of my beloved screen, I laid my phone down in the contraption, and locked it. I wasn’t to open the box until the end of the retreat, under any circumstances, or that’s what I was told. But I was hopeful, as I unpacked my suitcase and changed into something more comfortable; after all, it was only for my own good that I signed up for this.

DAY TWO

I’m not really adjusting to this whole writing thing. Deirdre suggested that we kept a journal of our time here, and I was amused by this concept, at first.But I’ll get used to it eventually. I might even keep doing it after this week (if I don’t fall back into bad habits, that is).

I didn’t sleep well last night. I guess it was the excitement, because the bed is one of the most comfortable I ever had the pleasure to sleep in. I think I was dreaming, too, but I don’t remember much, apart from strange screams and a loud thumping noise. Must’ve been a nightmare.

The day went by rather smoothly. I sat with the couple at breakfast, Robin and Jamie, and had a blast. They hail from overseas, and wanted to try something different for this trip; they’d never been on any health retreats, so this is all very new to them. I tried greeting our strange individual from yesterday (Ezra, was it?), but they nearly fell off their chair when I said hi. They barely answered, and went back to scribbling their nonsense in a tiny notebook; maybe they’re a journalist, but I’ll do my best to stay clear of them for now. That bratty teen from yesterday didn’t stay long, though; I didn’t even catch his name. Deirdre told us that he had left just before breakfast. Apparently, as soon as he’d been sent back to his room for the night, he’d called his parents to come pick him up; this had been enough of a punishment for him.

The day went by slowly; I’d forgotten how bored I could get without that little phone box in my hand all the time. We went on a hike in the morning, only to come back for dinner, but it was oh so pleasant! I don’t like walking, but I guess that when you’re in good company, you tend not to think about it too much. We climbed up the rocky pass that overlooks our quarters, and the view was breathtaking. Miles and miles of verdant and lush greenery, forests and fields of multicoloured flowers sprawled at our feet, under one of the bluest skies! Simply put, it was perfect. And the picnic we brought didn’t fall short of the mark either. Safe to say that, exhausted as I am, I’ll sleep like a log tonight.

Dinner wasn’t missing any entertainment either. I sat with my newly made friends, and we were joined with our health nut from yesterday, Lance. Apparently, he’s been on a total of ten diets in the last few months, but I don’t really know why, since he’s already only skin, bones and muscles. He never stopped talking (my ears are still buzzing), going over all of the supplements he took, the training he did, his goals, and I can’t even remember what else. I think he was looking for approbation from our hostess, who only gave him polite nods all night. At least I wasn’t the only one that was bored to bits by his conversation!

I spent the rest of the evening walking around the gardens with Robin and Jamie. He’s a writer, I think, and she’s a lawyer; they plan on getting married later on, when they get the time. They’re very successful, so much so that it’s nearly frustrating. Robin’s imitation of Lance was hilarious, and Jamie had quite some biting banter to share. I think I’ll spend more time with them in the next few days.

DAY THREE

Lance wasn’t at breakfast, this morning. Apparently, he fell and broke his wrist during his nightly workout going up and down the stairs (“it’s so good for the cardio!”, I remember him boasting). He was wheeled away to the nearest hospital, and won’t come back before the end of the stay. I knew too much exercise wasn’t good for you!

We spent the morning in a huge library. We were allowed to pick as many books as we wanted, and even to take a couple of them home. In another lifetime, it would’ve been paradise for me, but I don’t know why it was so hard concentrating on the pages. My mind kept wandering elsewhere. The words jumbled in front of me, and I couldn’t stop my gaze from skipping lines and dawdling around the room. I must admit, it wasn’t the most enjoyable. I kept oscillating between intense boredom and insanity, always on the brink of giving up.

The bored scholar, I think her name is Adeline, is spending more and more time with Ezra, who is acting stranger by the minute. I saw them whispering to each other all morning. They stopped as soon as someone got near them, though, as if what they told each other was of utmost importance and secrecy. It all looked peculiar, if you ask me, but they’re not hurting anyone, I guess.

We spent the afternoon in the grounds’ flourishing gardens. I hadn’t seen it in daylight and it was superb. I couldn’t even name a quarter of the plants there, though; I never was one for botany. But the colours! I don’t know if I’m really missing my phone or if everything does feel more vivid and brilliant. I looked at the sky and the birds and the life that went on in this magical place all afternoon, hyper-fixating on the smallest details and tiniest lives.

I’m getting ready for bed, now, and I’m writing in order to try and forget my screen. I could just open the box for a minute, right? No one will know? But I would, and it would make me feel bad; I don’t like cheating. I sometimes get the feeling that the little vault is calling out to me. I hear faint alarms and jingles, but I’m not quite sure they’re real. I must be delirious, or just overly exaggerating. I guess it’s time for me to go to sleep, and try to get over all of this.

DAY FOUR

I was glad I didn’t give in to my poor impulse control yesterday! I woke up feeling like I had passed a massive hurdle, which is always satisfying. I can’t say the same for Robin, though; he seemed so down, at breakfast. Jamie wasn’t here, she was indisposed, or at least that was Robin told me. He looked tired and tense; I guess they didn’t have the best night. I don’t know what to think about all of this. They went well together, those two. I’d hate to think something happened between them.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. We had a painting class after a morning yoga session, and I discovered that I wasn’t a great artist. Maybe I should just stick to my day job. I did enjoy it, but I won’t be going back for seconds.

Everyone went straight to bed after dinner, although it was still pretty early; I got to enjoy the twilight-lit gardens all for myself. The sunset was incredible, like a burst of life in this drab world. I didn’t hang around any longer, though, I was completely exhausted. We have to get up much earlier than I usually do, and my body is having issues adjusting to this new rhythm; I’ll get there in time.

Though the strangest thing caught my attention. As I was hurrying back to my room, parched as ever, I could’ve sworn I heard screams coming from the other side of the estate. Who would shout for bloody murder that late? I mean, people need their beauty sleep, don’t they? I also caught bizarre pounding and screeching sounds, like claws against metal. Strange, I tell you.

DAY FIVE

I am starting to see the effects of the cure. I don’t reach for my pocket anymore, and I don’t feel as bored as before. I’m counting that as a victory! This system must work brilliantly, if I’m already having results by now. There are still few days left to go, and, if I’m not mistaken, the hardest part is still ahead; nevertheless, I’m confident I’ll be able to keep pushing.

Our strange little journalist left during the night. At least, that’s what I think happened. They weren’t at breakfast this morning, and Deirdre had nothing to say about it. Both of them must’ve had a falling out; I could see from the beginning that something bizarre was going on, at least with Ezra.

There aren’t a lot of us left, and I’m afraid my remaining partners are not the best company. Robin hasn’t said a word to me since yesterday morning and spends his day moping and staring into the void, mute and anxious. I do hope they’ll patch things up, him and Jamie, and that he’ll go back to his usual chirpy self. Adeline, still somewhat bored, is  here too, but she isn’t much for conversation. She looks like she hasn’t slept in a while; the bags under her eyes keep getting bigger. I tried suggesting melatonin to her; I’ve been taking it since the beginning of the trip and I’ve never felt so refreshed, energetic even! She nodded and gave me a faint smile, but her eyes weren’t quite there, not quite seeing me.

I ditched them both in the afternoon, and decided to spend it meditating with Deirdre. I’d never been a fan of this exercise, as I thought it was just some sort of glorified nap, but let me tell you, the hours flew by. Guided by her, I felt myself nearly leave my body for higher, sort of astral planes; if I were so bold I’d even say I brushed passed enlightenment (I jest, of course, but it would’ve been fun to find nirvana, right?). When I came back to reality, I realised I hadn’t been as present as right now in months, maybe even years.

But I have to confess that my will nearly faltered again tonight. My hand inadvertently touched the box where my phone is and, for a second, it was glued to it, like a magnet. One little peek wouldn’t hurt, right? I reached in but, at the last second, I caught myself. It might sound a little cliché, but a loud gust of wind crashed into my room, turning everything upside down. It made me stop dead in my tracks. I went to bed shortly after, trembling and kind of mad at myself. I heard the same thumping-clawing sound as before, though a tad closer, as I scurried under the covers. It’s exasperating, really. I’ll ask Deirdre what it’s about tomorrow morning, she’s bound to know what’s happening.

DAY SIX

I had the strangest interaction with Robin this morning. He was on his way out, his bags packed and waiting in the lobby. He told me he was leaving, that he had enough, and he wished me well. Apparently, Adeline had left during the night, she had fallen ill, or at least that’s what he told me; he didn’t seem to believe any of these words, however. I bit my lip when I was about to find out about Jamie, I didn’t want to add salt to his wounds. I asked him for his contact information, or at least a phone number, so that we could keep in touch in the future, but it was as if he hadn’t heard me. He kept looking around, as if he was making sure we weren’t watched. As he was about to grab his bags and go, he turned around, mouth open as if to tell me something; not a word came out. He finally held out a little card with his e-mail address scribbled on, mumbling something along the lines of “I’d be happy to keep in touch if you ever get the chance to”, and then scrambled through the doors, in a hurry. I thought nothing of it; he obviously hadn’t been his best the last few days and, besides, he was still but a stranger to me.

It was the last day of the retreat, as I would be leaving tomorrow morning. I was the only one left, lonely in this massive estate. In the afternoon, I jumped at the chance when Deirdre offered to go on a walk, one on one. Her red hair was shimmering in the golden sun, sparkling like the smouldering flames of an inferno. I was mesmerised by her warmth and her wisdom. She only said a few things, encouraging me to keep going. “The last night is the hardest”, she told me, a chuckle hidden in her tiny dimples. “You have potential, though. Don’t let yourself be fooled by this challenge.”

I laughed it off; my resolve had been tested already, and I had come out victorious, and stronger than ever. She opened her mouth in a dry smile, the biggest one I’d ever seen her give to anyone, her whiter-than-white teeth twinkling in an otherworldly fashion. “We’ll see about that, then”, she giggled, leaving me alone with my thoughts as she left rather swiftly.

I spent the rest of the day exploring every inch of the grounds, one last time. i had thoroughly enjoyed this trip, and was determined to make the most of it, even if it passed as quick as a flash. I’ve come out of this calmer and more serene, and I hope it’ll stay that way.

NIGHT SIX

I just woke up sweating like crazy. There’s a dull thumping coming from right outside my room; I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t sound too happy. I really don’t want to find out.

My phone is ringing in its tiny box. I’m trying to ignore it, but I can’t. I feel it’s ringing in my head, but that’s impossible, it has to be a nightmare, or something along these lines. And my body’s moving on its own, now. I got out of bed, trying to find a glass of water, but I only managed to get to the desk. I’m standing in front of the tiny chest. My hand is moving towards it, and I can’t stop it. I can’t do anything anymore. What’s happening?

Slowly, ever so slowly, painstakingly, I open the box. It beeps as my thumb grazes the small lock, creaking as the lid slides back. In the middle, where I left it, my screen is flashing with a new notification; I got a text from a number I don’t recognise. The thumping is crazy, outside, and it’s banging against my door. It’s going to give in, any second now. I wipe my hands on my shirt, and take the screen into my shaky palm. I pause, hesitating before unlocking it.

As my door breaks down, I open the message I just received. A tall and dark creature, limbs akimbo like a giant spider, screeches as it enters my room and pins me to the ground. Claws slash at my skin, tearing me apart, but I can’t scream. A clump of dirty orangish hair stands tall on what seems to be the thing’s head, salivating over me. It’s over, I know it, and I can’t even cry or shout for help, frozen on the spot by shock and terror. I never should’ve opened that box.

On the floor, next to me, I manage to catch a final glimpse of the message, opened on my now cracked screen. I would’ve liked to laugh, but I can’t, as the creature shreds my body into thin strips, sucking all the life out of me.

“You had so much potential.”